Aircraft flare



J. ALBIN AIRCRAFT FLARE Sept. 21, 1948.

Fild June 9, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 J. ALBIN AIRCRAFT FLARE Sept. 21, 1948.

Filed June 9, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Zia:

7 u I n Patented Sept. 21, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFlCE (Granted under the act of March 3, 1883, as

amended April 30, 1928: 370 0. G. 757) The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government for governme1tal purposes, without the payment to me of any royalty thereon.

This invention relates to aerial flares, both for use over terrain and over water, and has reference in particular to a type of flare which is adapted to rebound after impact.

It is an object of the invention to produce a flare of this nature which shall be subject to more precise control as to the desired region of illumination and which shall be more sturdy and reliable of functioning.

It is among the further objects of the invention: to produce a rebounding flare which shall be operable over water or terrain selectively by the nature of the target; to produce a flare which will rebound substantially vertically, and to produce a flare projector for use over water which projector shall have improved float characteristics.

The specific nature of the invention as well as other objects and advantages thereof will clearly appear from a description of a preferred embodiment as shown in the accompanying drawings in which: 7

Figure 1 is an axial sectional view of a flare designed for water impact actuation.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the flare of Fig- 4 ure 1.

Figure 3 is an axial sectional view of a flare designed for terrain impact actuation.

Figure 4 is a. view in elevation of the nose end of an impact flare provided with a shock deadening device.

Figure 5 is a perspective view ofa candle reinforcing member.

Figure 6 is a view in elevation of a candle shade.

Figure '7 is a view similar to Figure 6 showing the shade in folded position.-

Figure 8 is an axial sectional view of a modified flare for terrain impact.

Figure 9 is a section, taken on the line 9-9 of Figure 8, and

Figure 10 is an axial sectional view of a modified flare for water impact.

Referring to the drawings by characters of reference there is shown in Figure 1 a flare comprising a flare proper and a projector tube sepaable by means of a propelling charge I.

The projector tube comprises a head ring 2 of steel or other suitable rigid material and a projector barrel 3 which may be of strong flber tubing or other light and inexpensive material.

Closing the end of barrel 3 is a waterprooied paper disk 3b fastened by crimping or cement. The ring and barrel may be attached as by rivets 4 with the barrel nested in the head ring, the barrel rim forming a shoulder 3a withthe head ring 2. A nose cap 5 of tough rubber or similar resilient material is attachably molded about a metal reinforcement ring 5 which is internally threaded for attachment to the head ring 2. The cap when screwed down secures between its annular internal shoulder 1 and the end face of the head ring 2 a diaphragm 8 carrying a firing pin 8a. A central opening 9, flared at the mouth, is fgrmed in the cap 5 to provide entrance for flui The guide vanes I0 shown are fashioned integrally with the barrel 3, although they may also be of sheet metal separately attached to the barrel. Attached to the vanes ill as by any convenient means II is a hollow annular float member |2 of streamlined section. The float may be constructed of sheet metal.

The flare is inserted into the projector as a unit and comprises exteriorly a metal breech cap I3, preferably of aluminum alloy, 9. flare case l4 and a rear closure l5 which may be part of a fln assembly consisting of tube l6 and vane H. A cannelure flt l8 between the flare case M and breech cap l3 serves to immobilize the flare case during storage and handling and against other shocks less than those of firing impact.

Contained in the flare case H are a fuse housing I9 of wood or other suitable material, rigidly fixed to the flare case as by nails 20, a candle casing 2| and a parachute 22. The candle casing 2| has a fixed cover 23 and contains the illuminant 24 topped by a flre clay seal 25 and having at the igniting end a facing 26 of a quick-burning composition. Above the handle casing 2| is a gas check disk 2! and the parachute cord passes through the latter and the .cover 23 of the candle casing and is secured therein as by a button 28.

Between the fuse housing I!) and the candle is a cylindrical bufier 29 of rubber or other resilient material and the lower face of the candle is protected therefrom by an annulus 30.

A winding channel 3|, spiral or otherwise serves to carry a time train 32, covered by a seal 33. An initiating composition 34 in communicatlon with the exterior of the fuse housing I3 is placed athacent the end of the time train 32 nearest propelling charge I and a passage at the other end of the time train holds a similar initiating composition 34' communicating with a propelling charge 35 such as black -powder contained in a recess in the fuse housing V I9. Quick matches 38 transmit combustion to contact by the firing pin 9a while the latter is engageable by a firing pin 42 carriedvon the fuse housing IS. A setback ring 43 of rubber or similar resilient material is positioned between the breech cap l3 and the fuse housing l'9.

Operation-The whole assembly is simply dropped from any elevation and is carried in a true course by meansof the vanes In to the desired projector by piercing wood or hard ground at the point of impact. A firing pin- 49 isfixed on the under side of the cap and a guard ring 41 of resilient material is fixedly positioned in an.

annular channel 48 surrounding the pin 49.

The breech cap 9| in this case is free to'slide in the projector ring 92 between shoulder in and guard'ring 41, the play being as small as desired. Breech cap 9| carries a primer 49 and'the propelling charge 39 is located between the breech v cap 9| and fuse housing 'I 9 as in Figure 1.

on impact the breech ring and flare move downi I ward to bring primer 49 into contact with pin 46, and the flare and parachute are expelled to perform in the manner as indicated in connection with the description of Figural.

location on the water. On impact with the water a jetthereof is forced through the orifice 9 and impinges sharply on the central portion of the diaphragm 8, carrying the pin la into contact with the detonating cap 49. The entire assembly will avoid damaging impacts of the same with the water. The time fuse 391s designed to reach the quick charge 3922 after the assembly has been restored to the water surface by the float l2 and equilibrium is restored. The spacing of the float [2 from the body of the assembly is a distinct aid in maintaining an upright position necessary to accurate placing of the candle in its intended position for illumination. The quick charge 38b carries ignition to the propelling charge I, and the flare, together with the fln assembly, is expelled from the projector bmsting the paper closure 3b. This exp sion is cilitated by the fact that the cannelurelt has previously cleared the lip of the breech cap l3 at the time of impact so that when the flare is propelled it is not torn from a static grip with the breech cap.

The candle end of the flare, being heavier, will with the assistance of vanes l'l align forward in flight and the fin assembly ensures a true vertical path above the calculated landing spot.

At the time of expulsion of the flare, the fuse train 32 is ignited bythe propelling charge, and at a time calculated from the height at which the flareis to become effective the black powder 35 ignites and reacting against the fixed fuse housing l9 ejects the candle and parachute, forcing the end closure l5 fromv the casing, whereupon the parachute is free to open and bear the flare in slow descent. The candle is lit by quick-match 36 and quick-burning material 26 at the time of expulsion of the candle by charge 35.

In the case where the assembly strikes a solid target instead of water, the fuse housing I9 will compress the ring 43 so that the pin 42 will set off auxiliary detonator 4| and, this being in communication with the quick charge 38b, the propelling charge I is set off without delay. Both the rubber cap '5 and the rings 43 and 29 within the assembly serve to reduce the chances of injury on solid impact and the first mentioned two also aid in the process of returning the flare into the air. Furthermore, the resilient cap 5 enables the assembly to retain a vertical position even on contact with a slant surface.

In Figure'3 is shown a flare projector designed for use over terrain, that is to say, for solid impact.

In the modification shown, the rubber cap 44 is projector.

In Figure 1 is shown a shock-absorbing spring 59. It is shown mounted on a nose cap similar to the one employed in the Figure 1 type for use in terrain impact, and it will be understood that it can also be used on the purely terrain-impact A flange 5| is provided on the nose for seating the spring. This spring may be. in addition to or in place of resilient material in the cap and serves to protect the parts of the flare from injury as well as to maintain a vertical position for rebound. v

To further ensure that the candle is maintained intact during shocks. a skeletal reinforcement thereforis providedas shown in Figure 5. Intersecting vanes 52 are provided in any desired number and joined in any convenient manner, as for instance by slotting at the line of intersection. Perforations 53 serve to reduce the weight while maintaining strength of the varies and further serve to facilitate distribution of the candle material on loading the same into its container and promotes even density thereof onapplication of pressure.

In Figures 6 and 7 are shown views of a shade designed to increase the intensity of illumination cast downward. The shade 54 of opaque asbestos is carried by ribs 55 fastened to a ring 59 designed to fit over the candle. The ribs are hinged to the ring as at 51 and each is hinged medially as at 59. The intermediate hinges 59 permit a larger shade area without lengthening the projector case. A larger shade minimizes the effects of the alterations of glare and darkness caused by oscillations of the parachute-suspended candle. r

In Figure 8 is shown a modification wherein a firing pin 59 is carried by a separate steel nose. The pin is movable through a central opening 59 in the cap to reach the primer 49 and the firing end of the pin is retained within the cap by means of a nut 6|. In this modification the breech cap 93 need not move and it is held spaced from the pin by means of a spacer 62. A simple friction fit between the breech cap 93 and fuse housing I9 is shown instead of the cannelure fastening in the other modifications.

The firing pin is held in safe position by means of a split band comprising an inner rubber ring 63 attached to an outer spring band 64, both i 4, equipped with a steel point 45 to position the use. After the arming band is removed the firing pin is withheld from the primer until impact by means of the compression spring 69.

Figure shows a water impact projector with a modified firing pin. A rubber nose cap III has molded thereto in a central recess a bushing II internally threaded to receive the firing pin assembly which comprises a cylindrical plug 12 with an inturned flange I3 serving'to retain a coil spring 14. The other rim of the plug I2 is internally rabbeted as at I5 to receive a diaphragm I6 which is retained by a cupped ring I1. The firing pin 18 is carriedby a plunger 18 slidably carried in the plug 12. The plunger 19 is of an appreciable depth to maintain its alignment and is made hollow to lower its inertia value and thus increase sensitivity. 0n impact the water enters orifice 80 in the nose cap Ill and actuates the diaphragm to flip the plunger I9 forward and carry the firing pin into the percussion primer 8|. In this case, the orifice 80 is larger than in the Figure 1 modification in order to distribute the impulse over the plunger 19 carrying the firing pin. In the case where the pin is carried by the diaphragm, maximum bending is essential, and is obtained by a narrower jet.

The flare case I4 of the flare unit in this modification as in the ground impact flare of Figure 8 does not move relatively to the breech cap 82 but is friction fit therein and rests against a shoulder 83. The rapid ignition of the propelling charge 39 in this case is provided for by a firing pin 84 slidable in a bore 85 in a fuse housing 86 carried by the breech cap 82. The pin 84 is retained against moderate shocks by a coil spring 81. It may be noted that the space between the breech cap 82 and the projector ring 2 allows for expansion of the breech cap following explosion. The full force of the expanding gases is spent in one direction against the bottom of the flare fuse housing I9. This modified breech cap in conjunction with the fracture preventing candle reinforce permits the employment of a larger propelling charge.

I claim:

1. A flare assembly comprising a projector tube, a ring fitted around one end of said tube, a resilient nose cap fitted on said ring, a diaphragm held between said nose cap and said ring and closing the end of the latter, a firing pin on said diaphragm, an orifice centrally of said nose cap, a flare casing in said projector tube, a breech cap for the flare casing attached in said ring, said flare casing being releasably held in said breech cap, a primer in said breech cap adjacent said firing pin, a propellent charge between said breech cap and said flare casing, a time train between said primer and said propellent charge, a second primer in said breech cap in quick firing relationship with said propellent charge, a second firing pin on said flare casing aligned with said second primer, resilient means between said breech cap and said flare casing, a closure in said flare casing, a candle in said flare casing spaced from said closure, aerial float means attached to said candle, shock absorbing means between said candle and said closure, a propellent charge between said candle and said closure, ignition means in said closure affording communication between the two propellent charges, a guide tail on said flare casing, guide vanes on said projector tube extending laterally therefrom, and float means on said guide vanes.

2. A flare assembly comprising a projector tube, a ring fitted around one end of said tube, a resil- 6 e lent nose cap fitted on said ring and closing one end of said tube, a firing pin on the inside of said nose cap, a flare casing fltted in said projector tube for sliding motion therethrough, a breech and said flarecasing, ignitable by said primer, a q

first resilient means spacing said firing pin from said primer, and a second resilient means spacing said breech cap from said flare casing.

3. In a flare assembly as in claim 2, a metalli point on said nose cap.

4. A flare assembly comprising a projector tube, a ring fitted around one end of said tube. a truncated nose cap attached to the end of'said ring, an axial bore through said cap, a firing pin through said bore, a head on said flring pin pointed to complete the profile of said nose cap,

retaining means on said flring pin inside the nose cap, resilient means between the head of the firing pin and the nose cap urging the firing pin outward against the retaining means, removable positive arming means immobilizing the firing pin, a flare casing fitted in said tube for sliding motion therein, a breech cap of larger diameter than the said tube but smaller than the said ring removably secured to said flare casing, a primer in said breech cap aligned with said firing pin, and a propellent charge between said breech cap and said flare casing in firing relationship with said primer.

5. A flare assembly comprising a projector tube, a nose cap of resilient material fitted on the lower end of said tube to cause rebound of the assembly upon impact, said nose cap having a fluid passage therethrough, guide vanes on the tube, a candle fitted in said tube in gas-tight relation therewith, a propelling charge in said tube positioned to eject the candle, firing means carried by the nose cap and actuated upon impact by fluid passing through said passage to ignite the propelling charge, means to light the candle from the propelling charge, and float means on the tube and spaced therefrom to enhance stability and damp buoyant oscillations of said assembly.

6. In a flare assembly, a projector tube comprising vanes extending laterally therefrom and an annular float chamber surrounding the lower portion of said vanes and attached thereto, said chamber being spaced from the tube to provide openings through the chamber betweenthe inner wall of the chamber and said tube for stabilizing the assembly in flight and hastening the establishment of equilibrium of the assembly when in the water.

7. A flare assembly comprising a projector tube, a head ring fitted around one end of the tube, a nose cap of resilient material fitted on the ring for causing rebound of the assembly upon impact and provided with a fluid passage, a flare casing fitted in the tube for sliding movement therethrough, a breech cap secured to the head ring, said flare casing being removably fitted to the breech cap, a propelling charge between the breech cap and flare casing, a primer in the breech cap for igniting the propelling charge, a firing pin in the nose cap aligned with said primer and operable by pressure of fluid passing through said passages in the nose cap, and yielding means in the nose cap for normally holding the firing pin away from the primer,

g v 7 8. The invention of claim '7 characterized in that yielding means normally holding the firing sponsive to the fluid pressure through the fluid passage.

pin away from the primer comprises a diaphragm' in the nose cap carrying the flring pin, and re 9. A flare assembly comprising a Pr jector tube,

a head ring fltted around one end of the tube, a. nose cap of resilient material fitted on said ring for causing rebound of the assembly upon impact,

a flare casingfltted in the projector tube for sliding movement therethrough. a breach can :se--

cured to the projector tube to which the flare cos-'- y ing is. detachably attached, a propelling charge between the breech cap andthe flare casing, a

fuse housing adjacent the propelling charge and carrying a firing pin, a detonating cap in the propelling charge in position to beengaged by tached to said body for joining the same to said ring, and a metallic point on saidbody completing the conical proflle thereof.

16. In a flare projecting assembly, a projector tube, a head ring fitted around one end of the tube, a stationary breechcap within said ring, a

flare casingfltted in said tube for sliding movement therealong, said casing being detachably the firing pin, resilient means between the breech can and fuse housing constructed and arranged to be engaged by the fuse housingiwhen the assembly strikes a solid target to ignite said detonating cap and consequently the propelling charge,

10. The inventionof claim 9 characterized in that the resilient means between the fuse housing and breech cap comprises a ring of resilient material supported on the breech capand surrounding the propelling charge and detonating cap.

ll. A"fiare assembly comprising a projector tube,a breech cap of resilient material to cause rebound of the assembly upon impact, means for attachin the breech cap to the tube, a nose; cap secured to-the breech cap attaching means and provided with a fluid passage therethrou'gh, a flare casing fitted in the tube for sliding movement therethrough and detaohably connected with the breech cap, a propelling charge between the breech cap and the flare casing, a primer in the breech cap for igniting the propelling charge, a firing pin in the nose cap alignedwith said primer and operable by fluid pressure in the nose cap, and yielding means for normally holding the flring pin away from the primer.

12. In a flare assembly, a projector tube, a

breech cap mounted within one end of said tube,

a primer carried by said breech cap, a flare case having a gas-tight sliding fit within said tube and releasably atttached to said breech cap, means closing the end of said flare case adjacent said breech cap, a propelling charge carried by said breech cap between said breech cap and said means and in detonating relation with said primer, a nose cap of resilient material secured to said one end of said tube and enclosing said end thereof and said breech cap, and a firing pin carried by said nose cap in position to engage said primer on deformation of said nose cap on impact of said assembly.

13. A flare assembly as recited in claim 12, a candle and attached parachute in said flare case, said means comprising a fuse housing, a powder train within said housing adapted to be ignited. by detonation of said propelling charge, said train being adapted to be consumed in a time substantially equal to the time of flight of said flare case on projection by said charge, and means in said case ignited by said train at the end of said time for expellin said candle and parachute from said flare case and igniting said candle.

14. In a missile, a projector tube, a flare case fittin said tube, a candle and attached aerial suspension means in said case, propelling charge means in said tube, means responsive to impact of said missile to detonate said propelling charge means and thereby project said case upwardly for connected to said breech cap, a propelling charge carried by said breech cap between the breach cap and the flare casing, a primer in the breech cap for igniting saidpropelling charge, a nose cap of resilient materialsecured to-said ring for causing rebound of the assembly upon impact,

and a: firing element carried by said nose cap for igniting the primer to fire the propelling charge upon impact of the assembly.

17.;A missile comprising a projector tube, a nose cap secured to the lowerend of said tube. said cap being resilient to cause rebound of said missile upon impact, a flring pin carried by said cap, guide vanes on said tube,a flare case slidably ,fltting said tube, a candle and attached parachute in said case, a propelling charge, a primer for igniting saidcharge, means in'said tube and detachably connected with said case for mounting said primer and propelling charge in said tube between said nose-cap and case in positionto eject said case from said tube, said flring pin being operated by deformation of said nose cap upon impact of the missile, to contact said primer and-detonate said propel-ling charge, and means closing the end of said flare case adjacent said charge and including a time train ignited from said propelling charge, to expel said candle and parachute from said case and simultaneously ignite said candle a predetermined time after detonation of said propelling charge.

18. A missile comprising a projector tube, a projector ring secured about the outer periphery of one end of said tube and extending axially therefrom, a deformable nose cap of resilient material secured to and closing the extended end.

of said ring, a flare case fitting within said tube, a candle and attached parachute in said case, a breech cap secured in said projector ring with one end closely adjacent said end of said tube,

' said breech cap being releasably engaged with said case to limit axial movement of the same in said tube, a propelling charge carried by said breech cap between said breech cap and case, a primer carried by said breech cap, a flring pin carried by said nose cap in position to detonate said primer and charge on deformation of said nose cap on impact, and means closing the end of said case adjacent said charge and including a time train and a second charge adapted to be ignited thereby for expelling said candle and parachute from said case, a predetermined time after detonation of said propelling charge.

JOSEPH ALBIN.

(References on following page) 9 REFERENCES crrnn The following references are of record in the tile oi this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number I Name Date Otis Jan. 18. 1887 Fletcher Jan. 10, 1888 Lefever et al. June 7, 1892 Bott. June 25, 1895 1 must May 4, 1897 Chambers Apr. 11, 1899 Currell Jan. 10, 1911 Beckwith Sept. 21, 1915 Chambers Oct. 10. 1916 1 Helsmoortel Oct. 22, 1918 Hoflmann Nov. 19, 1918 Rapp Jan. 14,1919

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